Amazing News and A Comment on Self-Publishing
This last week has been a whirlwind.
I went to Portland, Oregon to my very first Horror Writer's Association convention. If you remember, and even if you don't, Pivot was on the preliminary ballot for the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel, and so I became more interested in the HWA. I wanted to see what they were all about.
Wow. The convention was simply amazing. I have never met so many brilliant, kind, and funny people. The authors there are so friendly, and the panels are quite informative. I recommend everyone and anyone to go to the HWA convention. The future one will be in Atlanta, Georgia, and George R. R. Martin will be a guest.
I will add that the parties at the convention were fantastic, and I met a plethora of authors, as well as editors, agents, and lawyers. They were all wonderful, all fun. They know how to party, and they are like one giant, happy family.
Now for some amazing news. While I was in Portland, I received an e-mail from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Pivot is a finalist for their award, and I am invited to go to The Harvard Club in New York City to receive a medal. In addition, I am invited to sign books at the Book Expo of America in New York City on one of the following days, and I am spending my time getting everything ready for that.
To say the least, I have been stunned and shocked and breathless. New York City?? I've never been there and always wanted to go. The Harvard Club? Holy shit. I mean, I am absolutely astonished. I thank the Next Generation Indie Book Awards again and again, even though 'thank you' will never cover it. I simply cannot believe this path that has opened up for me. What an amazing acknowledgment. I am just... yeah. There are no words.
There was even more good news, however! I received two days ago yet another thrilling e-mail that Pivot was made Indie Reader Approved and is on the final ballot for the IRDAs - Indie Reader Discovery Awards. The winner will be announced at the Book Expo of America (where I will also be signing books) on May 31st. Again, I am simply overwhelmed with so much joy and excitement. I am thrilled by Indie Reader's acknowledgment of Pivot, and I do not know exactly how to express my elation.
This is so amazing. So wonderful. So unreal. It is like I have stepped into another world.
I was also invited to do an author interview with Shindig at the BEA. I e-mailed them, and we will see what ends up happening. I have never done an author interview before, and I am very glad that I went to the HWA - where I learned how important it is to be myself.
All that amazing and elating stuff having been said, I want to make a comment on self-publishing for a moment.
Self-publishing can work. It can open up paths for you in a way that traditional publishing may not. I'm not saying it always works, and I'm not saying that it is the right path for everyone. I do not believe that there is any ONE right path for everyone. But it is A path, and a path that can work. Just consider Hugh Howey and his amazing accomplishments through self-publishing. Or C.J. Lyons, the amazing ER Doctor and author who will be announcing the winner of the Indie Reader Discovery Awards on May 31st. Consider that many authors who go through traditional agents and publishers don't necessarily get more books to people than self-publishers. Also, consider that writing is in the midst of a revolution - where a more experimental path has been forged for novels. An experimental path that allows for unique writing. Realize, as well, though that there is "something" to a traditional agent and publisher. There are advantages to both self-publishing AND traditional publishing.
If you do go the route of self-publishing, enter your book into as many awards as possible. That is something I have learned in this process. Two things get you noticed in the production of a novel: quality and quantity. 1. Make your book free has been the advice of many self-publishers (and I took that advice and was able to get over 30,000 copies of Pivot out there). I don't know if making one's self-published novel free is necessary or not. I suspect it is, but I am leery of giving out that advice. All I can say is that this is something I followed. 2. Enter your book into as many awards as possible (this is not advice that I ever remember reading, but it is incredibly important). Indie Reader has a stamp called "Indie Reader Approved." It is given to self-published novels to note a quality book, quality writing. I didn't know how important this sticker was until it was given to Pivot. I'm telling you now, if you're going to self-publish, pay attention to these awards and acknowledgments. They will help you, and you want help. Always.
While you are establishing indicators of your novel's quantity and quality, the best advice you can be given is: go to writer's conventions and connect with other authors. This allows you to realize that you are not alone, but you may also learn many things that you may not have previously considered. For instance, many of the things I have learned while at the convention are the following:
1. The difference between sprinters and marathoners - the difference between writing a few books versus grinding them out every day, every year, for a lifetime of writing. You have to decide which of these authors you want to be, and again, one choice isn't right for everyone. Some are sprinters, and some are marathoners. The marathoners write every day, no matter hell or high water, rain or shine. The marathoners are fewer than the sprinters.
2. Even successful authors have day jobs. Writing doesn't necessarily pay all the bills. Even marathoners may be required to have something else to do, something else in their lives.
3. You have to decide if you are setting out to be an author who "changes the world," or an author who "makes a living." Sometimes they are one and the same, but not always. Just keep in mind that a stigma should not be attached to either of these. Again, there's no one route for every person. I, myself, know that in English departments there is often a push towards writing to change the world, rather than to make money, but this is not necessarily the "right" thing or only thing. You just have to decide what type of writer you are.
4. Writers are given shit all the time. What I mean by this is that even famous authors have been called a "sick fuck" for what they wrote, no matter the money they make, no matter the quality of their work, no matter how impressive they are. Sometimes it comes with the territory of the business. And this is particularly true for horror. Are you ready to self-publish as a "sick fuck?" Perhaps that is a question for you; perhaps it never will be.
To conclude, I'll give a short road map to self-publishing that I have followed that may, or may not, be of assistance to you:
1. Write until you hurt. By that I mean write and write and write. If you write shit, keep writing. Something will come out of it. You may only be able to see it in hindsight.
2. When you finally have your first novel, make sure it gets on Kindle, if nowhere else, and try to get it permanently free.
3. Send out free paperbacks on GoodReads until you have 25-35 reviews on GoodReads and Amazon.
4. Submit a request to advertise on BookBub.
5. Submit your book to as many awards as possible (and yes, many of these are $80 a piece or more... the cost can be brutal).
6. Attend writer's conferences. Even if you are not a horror writer, consider going to the HWA convention. Not everyone who goes there writes horror, and I am told that other conferences are not nearly as friendly and open as the HWA is. I have very little experience with other conventions, but I can say that the conferences I have been to have not been nearly as alive, fiery, or interesting as the HWA. They really have something there. They will open your eyes and heart in a way that nothing else may. They are accepting of all. They are absolutely amazing.
Finally, I just want to say that I again thank everyone who read, rated, and/or believed in Pivot. Without you, I don't know what would have happened. I am working on the second book right now, and I am hoping it will be just as strange and sublime.
Don't be a stranger. Feel free to e-mail me whenever. Thanks again to everyone.
I went to Portland, Oregon to my very first Horror Writer's Association convention. If you remember, and even if you don't, Pivot was on the preliminary ballot for the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel, and so I became more interested in the HWA. I wanted to see what they were all about.
Wow. The convention was simply amazing. I have never met so many brilliant, kind, and funny people. The authors there are so friendly, and the panels are quite informative. I recommend everyone and anyone to go to the HWA convention. The future one will be in Atlanta, Georgia, and George R. R. Martin will be a guest.
I will add that the parties at the convention were fantastic, and I met a plethora of authors, as well as editors, agents, and lawyers. They were all wonderful, all fun. They know how to party, and they are like one giant, happy family.
Now for some amazing news. While I was in Portland, I received an e-mail from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Pivot is a finalist for their award, and I am invited to go to The Harvard Club in New York City to receive a medal. In addition, I am invited to sign books at the Book Expo of America in New York City on one of the following days, and I am spending my time getting everything ready for that.
To say the least, I have been stunned and shocked and breathless. New York City?? I've never been there and always wanted to go. The Harvard Club? Holy shit. I mean, I am absolutely astonished. I thank the Next Generation Indie Book Awards again and again, even though 'thank you' will never cover it. I simply cannot believe this path that has opened up for me. What an amazing acknowledgment. I am just... yeah. There are no words.
There was even more good news, however! I received two days ago yet another thrilling e-mail that Pivot was made Indie Reader Approved and is on the final ballot for the IRDAs - Indie Reader Discovery Awards. The winner will be announced at the Book Expo of America (where I will also be signing books) on May 31st. Again, I am simply overwhelmed with so much joy and excitement. I am thrilled by Indie Reader's acknowledgment of Pivot, and I do not know exactly how to express my elation.
This is so amazing. So wonderful. So unreal. It is like I have stepped into another world.
I was also invited to do an author interview with Shindig at the BEA. I e-mailed them, and we will see what ends up happening. I have never done an author interview before, and I am very glad that I went to the HWA - where I learned how important it is to be myself.
All that amazing and elating stuff having been said, I want to make a comment on self-publishing for a moment.
Self-publishing can work. It can open up paths for you in a way that traditional publishing may not. I'm not saying it always works, and I'm not saying that it is the right path for everyone. I do not believe that there is any ONE right path for everyone. But it is A path, and a path that can work. Just consider Hugh Howey and his amazing accomplishments through self-publishing. Or C.J. Lyons, the amazing ER Doctor and author who will be announcing the winner of the Indie Reader Discovery Awards on May 31st. Consider that many authors who go through traditional agents and publishers don't necessarily get more books to people than self-publishers. Also, consider that writing is in the midst of a revolution - where a more experimental path has been forged for novels. An experimental path that allows for unique writing. Realize, as well, though that there is "something" to a traditional agent and publisher. There are advantages to both self-publishing AND traditional publishing.
If you do go the route of self-publishing, enter your book into as many awards as possible. That is something I have learned in this process. Two things get you noticed in the production of a novel: quality and quantity. 1. Make your book free has been the advice of many self-publishers (and I took that advice and was able to get over 30,000 copies of Pivot out there). I don't know if making one's self-published novel free is necessary or not. I suspect it is, but I am leery of giving out that advice. All I can say is that this is something I followed. 2. Enter your book into as many awards as possible (this is not advice that I ever remember reading, but it is incredibly important). Indie Reader has a stamp called "Indie Reader Approved." It is given to self-published novels to note a quality book, quality writing. I didn't know how important this sticker was until it was given to Pivot. I'm telling you now, if you're going to self-publish, pay attention to these awards and acknowledgments. They will help you, and you want help. Always.
While you are establishing indicators of your novel's quantity and quality, the best advice you can be given is: go to writer's conventions and connect with other authors. This allows you to realize that you are not alone, but you may also learn many things that you may not have previously considered. For instance, many of the things I have learned while at the convention are the following:
1. The difference between sprinters and marathoners - the difference between writing a few books versus grinding them out every day, every year, for a lifetime of writing. You have to decide which of these authors you want to be, and again, one choice isn't right for everyone. Some are sprinters, and some are marathoners. The marathoners write every day, no matter hell or high water, rain or shine. The marathoners are fewer than the sprinters.
2. Even successful authors have day jobs. Writing doesn't necessarily pay all the bills. Even marathoners may be required to have something else to do, something else in their lives.
3. You have to decide if you are setting out to be an author who "changes the world," or an author who "makes a living." Sometimes they are one and the same, but not always. Just keep in mind that a stigma should not be attached to either of these. Again, there's no one route for every person. I, myself, know that in English departments there is often a push towards writing to change the world, rather than to make money, but this is not necessarily the "right" thing or only thing. You just have to decide what type of writer you are.
4. Writers are given shit all the time. What I mean by this is that even famous authors have been called a "sick fuck" for what they wrote, no matter the money they make, no matter the quality of their work, no matter how impressive they are. Sometimes it comes with the territory of the business. And this is particularly true for horror. Are you ready to self-publish as a "sick fuck?" Perhaps that is a question for you; perhaps it never will be.
To conclude, I'll give a short road map to self-publishing that I have followed that may, or may not, be of assistance to you:
1. Write until you hurt. By that I mean write and write and write. If you write shit, keep writing. Something will come out of it. You may only be able to see it in hindsight.
2. When you finally have your first novel, make sure it gets on Kindle, if nowhere else, and try to get it permanently free.
3. Send out free paperbacks on GoodReads until you have 25-35 reviews on GoodReads and Amazon.
4. Submit a request to advertise on BookBub.
5. Submit your book to as many awards as possible (and yes, many of these are $80 a piece or more... the cost can be brutal).
6. Attend writer's conferences. Even if you are not a horror writer, consider going to the HWA convention. Not everyone who goes there writes horror, and I am told that other conferences are not nearly as friendly and open as the HWA is. I have very little experience with other conventions, but I can say that the conferences I have been to have not been nearly as alive, fiery, or interesting as the HWA. They really have something there. They will open your eyes and heart in a way that nothing else may. They are accepting of all. They are absolutely amazing.
Finally, I just want to say that I again thank everyone who read, rated, and/or believed in Pivot. Without you, I don't know what would have happened. I am working on the second book right now, and I am hoping it will be just as strange and sublime.
Don't be a stranger. Feel free to e-mail me whenever. Thanks again to everyone.
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